Looking Sideways Action Sports Podcast

Full episode info and Show Notes: www.wearelookingsideways.comFor episode 034 I welcomed one of snowboarding’s most creative and influential characters onto the show - David Benedek, who for a decade bestrode the global snowboarding scene like a veritable colossus. Think of any significant cultural snowboarding development from 1999 to 2008 and chances are Benedek was involved. From the moment he burst onto the scene with a podium at the 1999 Air and Style, his career was one long list of significant milestones, from that classic trio of Robot Film movies, to his ground-breaking double corks, with plenty more in-between.And then, seemingly at the top of his game. Benedek made the Cantona-esque decision to retire so he could concentrate on his creative ambitions. Since then he has produced the book project Current State, headed to film school, and today makes a living as a renowned and award-winning creative and designer. At the end of January 2018 I headed to Munich to catch up with David and have a brilliantly wide-ranging conversation about his snowboarding past and creative present. Such a great chat this, with a fascinating, erudite and compelling thinker. Myself and David had a great time catching up and discussing his life and career, and I hope this comes across in the episode. Thanks for coming on the show David, love your work! As usual, thanks to Scott Nixon (www.scottnixon.co.uk) for post-production help and Matt Ward (www.linguistine.com) for the theme tune. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wearelookingsideways.com/subscribe

Full episode info and Show Notes: www.wearelookingsideways.comFor episode 033 of the podcast, I met up with British snowboarder Billy Morgan the week before he headed to Korea to compete for Team GB at his second Olympic Games. Billy is a hugely respected member of the UK snowboarding community, who came up through dryslope and seasons in the classic UK way, but has since transformed himself into a world-renowned snowboarder with a top ten Olympic place in Sochi and at least two world snowboarding firsts to his nameAhead of his second Olympics and on the day Team GB was announced, I headed to Southampton to catch up with Billy to get the story of his life and career in his own words. A great chat this, in which Billy opens up about his hopes for Korea, how he deals with risk and fear, and how he has translated his immense physical talents into one of snowboarding’s most colourful and impressive career. As you’ll hear, Billy is a total one-off, and a unique character. Thanks for taking the time to come on the show during one of the busiest weeks of your life Billy!As usual, thanks to Scott Nixon (www.scottnixon.co.uk) for post-production help and Matt Ward (www.linguistine.com) for the theme tune. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wearelookingsideways.com/subscribe

Full episode info and Show Notes: www.wearelookingsideways.comIt was second time lucky for episode 032 as I finally wrapped my interview with one of European snowboarding’s great: James Stentiford. For two decades James has been one of Europe’s most respected snowboard pros, both for the longevity of his career, but more importantly for his whole approach to snowboarding and life in general. James has always been somebody with an extremely developed sense of sense, and an almost pathological desire to follow a lifestyle that will give him the freedom to pursue his lifelong sideways passion. It’s an approach to life that has long made one of UK snowboarding’s most quietly influential leaders and in this episode ‘The Silverback’ drops plenty of wisdom and insights.Today, after his professional career is over, James runs Stentiford Snowboarding, guiding snowboarders to their best ever experiences in destinations around the world, and finding another way to pursue the passion that has defined his life. After balling up my first interview with James, I headed to Chamonix in January 2017 for take two, spending three days riding with Stenti, and sitting him down to discuss his life and career. As usual, thanks to Scott Nixon (www.scottnixon.co.uk) for post-production help and Matt Ward (www.linguistine.com) for the theme tune. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wearelookingsideways.com/subscribe

My guest for episode 031 of the Looking Sideways podcast is truly one of the unsung heroes of the UK action sports community: Tim Leighton-Boyce. Between 1985 and 1993 Tim was the main driving force behind the legendary R.A.D magazine, the much-loved UK skateboarding magazine that did so much to support UK skateboarding and skate culture during a critical time in the scene’s development on these shores. During its heyday, R.A.D was a window onto a world that at the time was a genuine subculture, and it’s really impossible to overstate its importance to a generation of UK board-riders. You can see this from the popularity of the readanddestroy Instagram account which is doing a brilliant job of shining a light on this specific moment in skateboarding history. When I started the podcast, TLB was one of the first name on the list so I was stoked to head up to London to interview him about these years, and pay homage to a man who had such an influence on myself and countless others. I recorded this one at Dan Adam’s studio in East London in November 2017, and its a really homely occasional three-way chat with Tim, a modest, self-effacing man who happens to be a complete visionary and one of the most influential figures in UK skateboarding; and Dan Adams, ex-R.A.D. designer and the man behind the readanddestroy Instagram account. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wearelookingsideways.com/subscribe

Full episode info and Show Notes: www.wearelookingsideways.comFor episode 030 I welcomed a proper guest of honour onto the show - Thomas Victor Carroll. Tom, a two-times world champion, is truly one of surfing’s greats. How? By dominating and redefining the way waves like Pipeline and Sunset were surfed, for one, and by defining what it meant to be a professional surfer in the 80s and 90s. Now in his mid 50s, Tom is quietly pioneering on another front, by managing the injuries sustained over such an incredible career so that he continue to surf at the highest possible level into his 60s and beyond. During this conversation, recorded during my trip to Sydney in December 2017, I met with Tom and chatted to him about his incredible career, and about how as he heads into his 50s he is dealing with the pain and injuries accrued during a lifetime of pushing the limits so he can continue to surf to the highest level possible. Such a brilliant, insightful conversation this, with something for everybody who wants to maximise their ability to pursue the sports they love. Huge thanks to Tom for taking the time to meet me during my trip to Sydney, and for being so generous with his time and insights. As usual, thanks to Scott Nixon (www.scottnixon.co.uk) for post-production help and Matt Ward (www.linguistine.com) for the theme tune. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wearelookingsideways.com/subscribe

Full episode info and Show Notes: www.wearelookingsideways.comSeven times ASP world champion, chair of Surfing Australia, ISA Executive Committee member, founder of the Layne Beachley Aim For The Stars Foundation, big wave pioneer; I've been lucky enough to speak to some big hitters on the show over the last year, but Layne Beachley, my guest for episode 028 is right up there.I sat down with Layne at her place in Sydney in December 2017, and we dived right into it, covering the highs and lows of an incredible career. Among the items up for discussion: Layne on how her first six titles were won in a state of fear; how her fierce competitive spirit with driven by a search for belonging; the long fight to gain parity with men in the professional surfing world. Great episode this, with one of Australia’s best-loved athletes. Thanks for coming on the show Layne! As usual, thanks to Scott Nixon (www.scottnixon.co.uk) for post-production help and Matt Ward (www.linguistine.com) for the theme tune. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wearelookingsideways.com/subscribe

Enjoyed episode 028 with Hayden Cox of Haydenshapes? In this special New Year 2017/18 bonus episode, Hayden talked me through his new factory, explaining how a Haydenshapes board is put together from start to finish and showing me some of his special projects. Huge thanks to Hayden for taking the time to show me round the factory. Click https://www.instagram.com/p/BdV7dA8Fds5/?hl=en&taken-by=welooksideways to see the Instagram post that accompanies this bonus episode. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wearelookingsideways.com/subscribe

Full episode info and Show Notes: www.wearelookingsideways.comFor episode 028 I headed to Sydney’s Northern Beaches to interview surfer, shaper and entrepreneur Hayden Cox.This is the first part of my planned Aussie omnibus featuring legendary members of the Sydney surf community, and Hayden definitely fits that description. He is the founder and owner of Haydenshapes surfboards - one of the most influential surfboard brands of the last decade. Why? Because Hayden is the man behind two of the most ubiquitous innovations recent surf history - Future Flex and, most notoriously, the Hypto Kryto surfboard. In December 2017, I visited Hayden at his Mona Vale HQ to get the lowdown on his life and career.It was a brilliantly enjoyable conversation, in which we discussed exactly how he turned HaydenShapes into one of surfing’s most important brands. I had a great time doing this one, and massive thanks to Hayden and the rest of the Haydenshapes team for being so welcoming. As usual, thanks to Scott Nixon (www.scottnixon.co.uk) for post-production help and Matt Ward (www.linguistine.com) for the theme tune. And big ups to Danielle Cox for her help setting this one up. Hope you enjoy it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wearelookingsideways.com/subscribe

Full episode info and Show Notes: www.wearelookingsideways.com I welcomed true adventure royalty onto the show for episode 027, when I met up with the great Rick Ridgeway.Rick, a legendary mountaineer and adventurer, was part of the first American team to summit K2; just one highlight in a career full of firsts and achievements. Today, he is Vice President of Public Engagement at Patagonia, using the insights accrued from a lifetime of adventuring to help shape Patagonia's environmental activities. Whether it's the hugely influential Worn Wear, or the recent campaign against President Trump, Rick is involved and leading from the front. In this conversation, recorded at the Kendal Mountain Festival in November 2017, we discuss the environmental challenges we all face, how nature and wildness can influence an individual’s sense of mortality and humbleness, and the importance of safeguarding your own values.It was a true privilege this one, and I hope you enjoy listening to the wisdom of this wonderfully articulate and generous orator as much as I did. Thanks to Scott Nixon (www.scottnixon.co.uk) for post-production help and Matt Ward (www.linguistine.com) for the theme tune. Big thanks to Alex Weller and Chloe Longstaff for helping hook this one up. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wearelookingsideways.com/subscribe

Full episode info and Show Notes: www.wearelookingsideways.comWe dig into the details of a great American snowboarding life for episode 025 of the Looking Sideways Podcast, as I speak to Hollywood screenwriter and OG snowboard legend Jon Boyer.Canuck legend Boyer came up with the first wave of North American snowboard pros, mentored by Ken Achenbach and counting shredders like Keith Duckboy Wallace, Shaun Palmer and Damien Sanders as peers. Along the way he scored a pro model on Barfoot, the cover of TWS and a part in a Greg Stump film. Like I said. Legit.Later, he moved to Hollywood, where he has carved out a career for himself as a respected screenwriter, working on open writing assignments and his own spec scripts such as Freebyrd, which earned him recognition from the Nicholl Fellowship and a place on the 2013 Black List.Yep this is a proper wide-ranger this one, with a charismatic legend who is disproving in style the old F Scott Fitzgerald line about there being no second acts in American lives. Love your work Boyer! Thanks for coming on the Looking Sideways podcast.Thanks to Scott Nixon (www.scottnixon.co.uk) for post-production help and Matt Ward (www.linguistine.com) for the theme tune. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wearelookingsideways.com/subscribe